This Comfy Kimono Blanket Cardigan is one of the easiest patterns to make! Essentially just one large square and then folded to create the armholes it is a one size fits most approach. I designed this pattern for Lion Brand Jeans* yarn as the drape is just lovely and I love the available colors but you could make this with any yarn of your choosing.
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Comfy Kimono Blanket Cardigan
The main body of the cardigan is made with the block stitch or modern granny as it is sometimes called. One of my very favorite stitches as you can see in my Retro Duster Vest, the Grapevine Afghan or the Boho Market Bag! Using this stitch with contrasting colors really sets this stitch off.
Comfy Kimono Blanket Cardigan
The front of the cardigan is made with the front and back post double crochet and I have included a video tutorial below as a visual instruction. Great stitches for wonderful texture!
I found when designing this blanket cardigan that many patterns call for you to fold the square in half. This then causes a large “lip” or bulk right at the hip area — not an area most people want added bulk! I decided to fold this a little differently which lets the back of the square fall completely free and eliminates that unsightly bulk at the rear. Much more flattering! The Kimono comes to about knee level on me and I am 5′ 6″ so it is nicely long.
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6 Lion Brand Jeans Brand New 14 oz / 984 yds Color A
3 Lion Brand Jeans Top Stitch 10.5 oz / 738 yds Color B
Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Stitch markers
Button 1”
Embroidery thread
Abbreviations:
ch chain
dc double crochet
sp space
sc single crochet
sl st slip stitch
fpdc front post double crochet
bpdc back post double crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc dec double crochet decrease
Notes about pattern: ch 3 or ch 2 counts as stitch throughout
Basically you are making one large square measuring approximately 40” across for a one-size approach. You can add or subtract rows if you would like to make smaller or larger.
Gauge is not important with this project since you are making the square to a specified size.
Round 1: With Color A Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, *3 dc in same ch, ch 2* repeat between * * 2 times, sl st into top of 1st dc. Fasten off.
Round 2: With Color B, attach with a sc into ch 2 corner sp, ch 3, sc in same corner sp, *ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next corner space* repeat between * * to last corner (sc, ch 3, sc) in corner, ch 3, sl st in first sc.
Round 3: sl st into next corner sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp* repeat between * * to end, sl st in top of 1st dc. Fasten off.
Round 4: With Color A, attach with a sc into ch 2 corner sp, ch 3, sc in same corner sp, ch 3, *sc in sp between clusters, ch 3* repeat between * * to next corner sp [(sc, ch 3, sc) in corner, ch 3, *sc in sp between clusters, ch 3* repeat between * * to next corner, ch 3], repeat between [ ] to end, sl st to 1st sc in corner.
Round 5: sl st into corner sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, 3 dc in each ch 3 sp to next corner, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner sp, 3 dc in each ch 3 sp to next corner* repeat between * * to end, sl st in top of 1st dc. Fasten off.
Rounds 6 – 53 Repeat rounds 4 – 5 alternating colors A & B
Square will measure approximately 40” square. If you are using a different size weight yarn or crochet hook just work your square until it measures approximately 40″.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
With WS facing, fold top of square down approximately 10” from top towards middle of square. Place stitch markers at 10” and 6” approximately through both sides of square. Turn square to WS and sew seam between the 10” and 6” stitch markers.
Fold top of square down approximately 10″ towards middle of square.
Place stitch markers at 10″ and 6″ from top of fold. Sew between the markers approximately 4″.
With RS facing, attach Color A to bottom front of kimono.
Row 1 Ch 3, dc in each st evenly around inside edge of kimono to bottom of other side. Turn
Row 2 – 11 ch 2, *fpdc around next stitch, bpdc around next st* repeat between * * to end, hdc in top of ch 2. Turn
Sleeve:
Attach color A to bottom of arm hole.
Row 1: Ch 3, dc in each st around evenly, sl st to top of ch 3.
Row 2 – 8: Ch 3, dc dec over next 2 st, dc in each st to last 2 stitches, dc dec over last 2 stitches, sl st to top of ch 3.
Row 9 – 12: Ch 3, dc in each st to end, sl st to top of ch 3.
Row 13: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st to end.
Fasten off. Repeat for 2nd sleeve.
With embroidery thread, attach button where desired. Mine is place about even with seam for sleeves approximately 1 – 2” from front edge of cardigan. The fpdc/bpdc pattern will make holes large enough for the button to fit through if using a 1” button.
Weave in ends.
Comfy Kimono Blanket Cardigan
Hi! Thank you so much for being here! I am Tonya the designer behind Nana's Crafty Home. As a wife, mother, Nana of 9 & with 2 fur babies, my days are filled with love, laughter, hugs and yarn! Here you will find colorful and creative crochet designs for yourself or loved ones. My hope is that you will be inspired to learn and create along with me!
With all the snow falling down outside my house at this moment, this is more than appealing to me.
So glad you like it! It is very warm and cozy! So much snow in March this year. I think everyone will be grateful when spring finally arrives!